Points of Accessibility for Guelph Pride EventsGuelph Pride is dedicated to increasing the accessibility of our events so that all members of the

community are able to come and celebrate with us and limit/eliminate/resolve any barriers they

may experience in doing so. All events must have at least 4 of the following:

○ Wheelchair and scooter accessible venue

○ Scent-free policy will be in effect

○ Microphones will be provided for performers/speakers

○ ASL translation will be provided

○ Location is readily accessible by public transit and during active service

○ Childcare will be provided for attendees

○ Event for Queer/Trans People of Colour (“QTPOC”)

○ All presenters/performers identify within LGBTQ2S+ communities

○ Gender neutral washrooms and/or single stall

○ Event is free

○ Fees are subsidized or a pay-what-you-can option is available (and clearly

advertised)

○ All ages event

○ Youth event for those (19/21) and under

○ Sober/dry event

What Makes an Accessible Event

Wheelchair and scooter accessible venue

This means that the space which you are hosting

the event can easily be accessed by those who

use wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility aids

to get around. This includes the absence of stairs

where no alternative ramps or entrances are

provided, elevators to access spaces being

utilized, as well as having bathrooms which can

accommodate mobility devices such as

wheelchairs and having support bars in the

facilities for ease of use.

Check out this resource for a checklist of things

to consider

Scent-free policy will be in effect

Scented products, such as hair spray, perfume,

and deodorant can trigger reactions such as

respiratory distress, headaches, and severe

migraines, making spaces inaccessible to some.

Adopting a scent-free policy for your event

means including that the event is a "scent-free

environment" - thereby discouraging participants

from using these products in or before coming

into the space, and those with health concerns

around scents will be able to access the space.

Check out this resource for learn more

Microphones will be provided for performers/speakers

Individuals who use assisted hearing devices, are

hard of hearing, or struggle with auditory

comprehension are often left in silence when the

voices of performers or speakers are not

amplified. By using microphones and

amplification/speakers at events, you're ensuring

that all individuals will be able to hear every word

at your event, loud and clear.

Some venues have PA systems or microphones

available to those using the space, alternatively

you can easily rent this equipment at my audio-

video store, such as Long & McQuade in Guelph

ASL translation will be provided

Any place of public accommodation is required

to provide sign language interpreters or other

effective means of communication for hard of

hearing individuals. ASL translators can be hired

to translate for specific events, however you're

encouraged to seek out individuals familiar with

the communities and types of language you'll be

using (in this case, individuals familiar with

LGBT2IQ+ communities, and ideally who also

belong to these communities as well)

You can find a list of Ontario ASL Interpreters

here

Location is readily accessible by public transit and is during active service

Many individuals rely on public transit to get

around our city, and especially those who may

come in from surrounding areas. By ensuring

your event occurs within active service, you're

making it possible for individuals who use public

transit to come to your event, without the

possibility of incurring extra costs by having to

use taxis, ubers, or other avenues to get home

(which could also impact their safety, well-being,

and ability to access other events)

You can learn more about Guelph Transit and

their hours of active service here

Childcare will be provided for attendees

Many people within LGBT2IQ+ communities have

children, and the costs of childcare can

sometimes be unrealistic or inaccessible for

individuals interested in attending events. By

providing childcare services for individuals

hoping to attend events that are otherwise

inappropriate for children to attend, you're

ensuring that all interested members of the

community are able to come and fully participate

in your event.

Check out this resource for how to organize

childcare for a community event

Event is for Queer/Trans People of Colour ("QTPOC")

People from marginalized groups have a right to

claim spaces in the public realm where they can

connect, find solidarity, and share stories about

the discrimination they have faced without

judgment and intrusion from anyone else. These

are critical spaces for all members of the

LGBT2IQ+ communities to support and

acknowledge, as QTPOC individuals face

disproportionate amounts of transphobia and

homophobia, in addition to experiences of racism

and potentially other kinds of discrimination as

well.

Check out this great article by Guelph's own

OUTline about the intersectionality of oppression

Why should Black, Indigenous, and other People

of Colour get their own events?

All performers identify within LGBTQ2S+ communities

First and foremost, Guelph Pride strives to

celebrate all individuals who are part of the

LGBT2IQ+ communities (whether they are "out"

or not). We also know that LGBT2IQ+ individuals

tend to, on average, make less money than their

cisgender, straight peers, and may be denied

opportunities on the basis of their sexual

orientation and/or gender identity. By prioritizing

people from our communities, we seek to uplift

and support those who face unfair discrimination

in other realms of their creative careers. This

keeps Pride money going into the pockets of

those Guelph Pride is meant to benefit and

support.

Something to consider if you're all ally with good

intentions and remembering that allyship is an

action, not an identity, which sometimes means

stepping back from spaces not meant for you.

Gender neutral washrooms and/or single stall

An Ontario study on transgender people's

experiences found that two thirds of trans people

had avoided public spaces due to fears of being

able to access bathrooms and the fear of

discrimination or harassment faced while using

them. By providing at least one gender

neutral/unisex bathroom, you're ensuring

transgender and gender non-conforming people

can comfortably attend your event without undue

fear of discrimination or harassment, and that

they should be able to pee in peace.

Check out this great resource to learn why this is

so important and check out Refuge Bathrooms -

a global listing of venues with gender neutral

washrooms, including Guelph listings.

Fees is subsidized or a pay-what-you-can ("PWYC") option is available (and clearly advertised)

Subsidized, pay-what-you-can, or sliding-scale

fees for events means that you provide less

expensive options for those who might otherwise

not be able to afford to attend your event. Cost

can often be a barrier, especially for individuals

who face barriers to employment (such as

discrimination on the basis of gender identity, or

those who are unable to work due to any kind of

dis/ability). By providing alternatives and clearly

advertising them anywhere your event is

promoted, you are ensuring that the cost of

attending does not prevent those in our

community from connecting at your event.

Check out this resource for things to consider

when setting sliding scale fees for events or

services and how to ensure you're still able to

cover your costs

Event is all ages

By making your event welcoming (and

appropriate) for all ages, you're ensuring that all

LGBT2IQ+ individuals are able to come and

connect at your event - including those who are

often left out of typical pride programming, such

a children, seniors, families, and youth under 19.

Check out these tips for making your event more

family-friendly

Event is for youth (19/21/25) and under

LGBT2IQ+ youth are critical to our communities,

and often left unable to access many community

spaces and critical sources of support. Not only

do youth have the right to be involved in our

communities' programming, celebrations, and

events, adolescence is also a critical period of

time for developing healthy connections to one

another, to the wider community, and to

themselves as individuals. By ensuring we have a

variety of youth events as part of every Guelph

Pride festival, we're working to support our next

generation of leaders and queer magic-makers.

Check out these tips for running a successful

youth-driven event

Sober/dry event

LGBT2IQ+ communities face disproportionate

amounts of discrimination, and so it comes as no

surprise that we also experiences higher rates of

addictions to alcohol and substances. By

providing an alternative to the often alcohol/bar-

centered Pride events, you're ensuring a space

for all members of our community to come and

connect to each other. By providing dry/sober

spaces, you also provide a supportive space for

those still navigating recovery, as well as those

who are comfortable in their ability to abstain.

Click here to learn about why providing

sober/dry spaces at Pride is so important